LIke the Whistling of the Wind

Paperback | May 10, 2010

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about

This is the first of the Supernovels, with three themes in one book. Primarily it is an historical novel set during the American Revolutionary War (War of Independence) from 1775-1783. It is a story of a family split along political lines, where the father (a military Colonel who fought with Wolfe at Louisbourg and Quebec) and one son are loyal to the King, while the other son serves with the Continental Army under George Washington. This son serves with Benedict Arnold during the campaigns along Lake Champlain and the ill-fated attack on Quebec City. The youngest son finally surrenders with British General Charles Cornwallis at Chesapeake Bay, where he is murdered. The mother, Sulla Dramma, is the main character and heroine, who lives for the duration in New York, from where she was eventually evacuated to Saint John, N.B. to join her husband at the end of hostilities. She suffers many personal indignities, including imprisonment in an asylum for the insane (Luza Prison), but is resolute throughout it all to hold her family and her New York home, which she adores, together. She is a courageous and especially literate woman who wants her sons to be educated as well, but the war has intervened. Her primary contact with the front and her family is through many letters throughout the novel, in which she corrects the grammar and spelling, not only of her two boys and husband, but even of the great writers and newspaper columnists of the day.

It is a story of the Loyalist/Royalist vs the Patriots/Rebels depending upon which side one is on. The language used is both sophisticated and late 18th Century. It also contains many rhyming couplets and a dozen original musical scores. The emphasis on language is intriguing, including the last two chapters especially, when ongoing arguments between the author and editor erupt as the story reaches a conclusion. It is a masterful mix of historical drama with real historical characters and those of the family created by the author to tell the story. The list of characters, both major and minor, is rather extensive. The details of battles won and lost from 1775-80, including the commanders on both sides, are accurately reflected throughout this 330 page novel.

The novel is an ideal candidate for film or stage. The cover is an original painting by artist Jacqui Mitchell.